Looks Good, But Fails to Keep Me Warm

I had high hopes when I unboxed my new Mountain Hardwear Downtown Parka this evening. Nice fabric, looks good. Fits well. So I pulled i on and went for a short walk (it's 25 deg F out). What? My arms were cold! How could this be? It's a winter parka with down fill, for crying out loud! So back to the house. I pulled the sleeved inside out and discovered that the baffles are hugs and they are mostly devoid of down. So back to Backcounry.

I'm sure that Mountain Hardwear is saving a lot on labor by outsourcing manufacturing to China. The problem is that the product is junk. It's likely that the goose down is actually duck feathers. Never again. I will never order another Mountain Hardwear product!

I started out just like you, disappointed when I went for a walk in the 30's F and I was cold. I am much happier with the Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka. I got mine made w/out the large black elbow patches. It is insanely warm (with just a t shirt under), and looks good. Also, I found the Eddie Bauer Peak IV jacket to be great too, but puffy. Wiggy's Antarctic parka is just as warm, but ugly. If you try the Wiggy, go one size up, it runs small. These 3 jackets are REAL winter jackets that will keep you warm down to about 0 F with minimal/no layers. I know you did not ask but I wish someone had pointed me in the right direction for real warmth when I was looking. Good luck.